TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes
6:00 PM – May 12, 2026
1. OPENING
The Regular meeting of the Paradise Town Council was called to order by Mayor Crowder at 6:02 p.m. in the Town Council Chamber located at 5555 Skyway, Paradise, California who led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. An invocation was offered by Council Member Lassonde.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Greg Bolin, Steve “Woody” Culleton, Heidi Lange, Ronald Lassonde and Steve Crowder, Mayor
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Interim Town Manager Michael O’Brien, Town Attorney Scott E.
Huber, Town Clerk/Elections Official Melanie Elvis, Community Development Director Susan Hartman, Community Development Director Tony Lindsey, Assistant Town Manager Marc Mattox, Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis, Human Resources & Risk Management Director Crystal Peters, Police Chief Eric Reinbold, Finance Director, Aimee Beleu and Information Systems Director, Luis Marquez.
1e. Mayor Crowder presented a proclamation recognizing Michael O’Brien for his exemplary service as Interim Town Manager. (180-40-027) 1f. Camp Fire Recovery Updates. Written reports were included in the agenda:
Colette Curtis, Recovery and Economic Development Director - recovery projects, advocacy, economic recovery and development, communications, emergency operations and Housing updates. Marc Mattox, Assistant Town Manager -infrastructure and sewer updates. (110-60-062) 1g. Assistant Town Manager Marc Mattox provided an update on the Paradise Sewer Project. (960-70-009)
1. Cliff Jacobson spoke in favor of the step system as a wastewater collection system.
2. Leslie Sawyer spoke in opposition to the proposed wastewater treatment site on Clark Road.
3. Kathy Dysert voiced concerns about the sewer rates putting non-profits out of business.
4. Jon Remalia spoke on low-income residents in Paradise and the potential sewer rate costs.
5. Fred Abler voiced concerns about the operation and maintenance costs for the sewer system, although spoke in favor of the project.
6. Jennifer Eidson asked if residents will have to pay for a sewer they will not use.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Lassonde, approved consent calendar items 2a and 2g. Roll call vote was unanimous.
2a. Approved minutes of the April 14, 2026, Special and Regular Town Council meetings.
2b. Approved April 2026 Cash Disbursements in the amount of $11,568,920.56. (310-10-035)
2c. 1. Declared the attached described 61 four-drawer file cabinets from the Community Development Department as surplus property; and 2. Adopted Resolution No. 2026-27, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise declaring specific Town property, as surplus property and authorizing disposal in accordance with Town policies and applicable regulations.” (380-10-003)
2d. Reviewed and filed the 3rd Quarter Investment Report for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2026. (360-30-006)
2e. Adopted Resolution No. 2026-28, "A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise acknowledging receipt of a report made by the Fire Chief of the Paradise Fire Department regarding the inspection of certain occupancies required to perform annual inspections in such occupancies pursuant to Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3 of the California Health and Safety Code." (440-50-001)
2f. 1. Waived the second reading of Town Ordinance No. 655 and read by title only; and 2. Adopted Town Ordinance No. 655, “An Ordinance of the Town of Paradise Adopting New Section 15.02.065 and Making Findings of Facts Relating to Building Code Complaints and Establishing Oversight by the Building Division Corrective Action Plan Ad Hoc Advisory Committee. (540- 16-224)
2g. Declared the police canine, Titan, surplus property and approved the Agreement to Release Police Service Dog. (380-10-003) (510-20-507)
3. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR - None
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
1. Ken Klassen spoke in favor of AB2700 and the rally in Sacramento scheduled for Wednesday, March 13th.
2. Jon Remalia spoke on the 10-day citation appeal process and thought it causes undue burden on those filing appeals.
3. Jennifer Eidson asked why the last few Planning Commission meetings have been cancelled.
4. Mike Pollak requested a response from Council on the determination of his citations.
5. Carrie Max asked about the march in Sacramento in support of AB2700.
6. Ed Pallat spoke on his concerns about the use of glyphosate weed killer and its effect on wildlife.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5a. Police Chief Eric Reinbold provided an overview of the proposed Ordinance relating to military equipment, and the 2025-2026 military equipment use report and policy.
Mayor Crowder opened the public hearing at 7:12 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Crowder closed the public hearing at 7:12 p.m.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton 1. Waived the second reading of the Town of Paradise Ordinance No. 654 and read by title only; and,
2. Adopted Town of Paradise Ordinance No. 654 “An Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Renewing Section 9.70 to the Paradise Municipal Code Relating to Miliary Equipment Use”. Roll call vote was unanimous. (540-16-223) (480-05-013)
6. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
6a. Town Clerk/Elections Official Melanie Elvis provided an overview of resolutions to request a consolidated general election with the county and to adopt regulations pertaining to candidate statements in the voter guide.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Lassonde 1. Adopted Resolution No. 2026-29, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Calling and Giving Notice for the Holding of a General Municipal Election to be Held on November 3, 2026, for the Election of Certain Officers as Required by the Provisions of the Laws of the State of California Relating to the General Law Cities for the Election of Two Town Council Members” and, 2. Adopted Resolution No. 2026-30, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Butte to Consolidate a General Municipal Election to be Held on November 3, 2026 with the Statewide General Election to be Held on that Date for the Election of Two (2) Town Council Members” and, 3. Adopted Resolution No. 2026- 31, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Adopting Regulations for Candidate for Elective Office Pertaining to Candidate Statements Submitted to the Voters at a General or Special Municipal Election”. Roll call vote was unanimous. (530-10-069)
6b. Human Resources and Risk Management Director Crystal Peters provided an overview of the proposed employment agreement with Jennifer Macarthy.
MOTION by Culleton, seconded by Lange, approved the Employment Agreement with Jennifer Macarthy for the Town Manager position. Roll call vote was unanimous. (510-20-506)
6c. Police Chief Eric Reinbold provided an overview of the proposed public safety recruitment incentives program extension.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Culleton authorized an extension of the Public Safety Recruitment Incentives program effective June 30, 2026, through June 30, 2028. Roll call vote was unanimous. (650-60-011) 6d. Council Member Culleton rescued himself from item 6d due to a potential conflict of interest.
Recovery & Economic Development Director Colette Curtis provided an overview of the proposed TOT Community Reinvestment Program for FY 26/27.
1. Monica Nolan spoke in favor of this item.
MOTION by Lange, seconded by Lassonde 1. Approved the proposed program with an annual budget of $140,000, with $100,000 to be distributed to the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce, and the remaining $40,000 to be divided between other qualifying applicants based on their operating budget. The program will be reviewed after one year. Roll call vote was unanimous with Council Member Culleton absent and not voting. (395-70-008) 6e. Recovery & Economic Development Director Colette Curtis and UDA consultant Barry Long provided an overview of the Findings for Implementation for Downtown Paradise Planning.
1. Fred Abler thought the new downtown should be off Black Olive where the old Safeway was located.
2. Jon Remalia thought that more work should be done to build up the businesses that are currently in town rather than bringing in more people.
3. Adam Deppe asked how the Town could make it easier for businesses to open.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Lange 1. Reviewed the Findings for Implementation for Downtown Paradise Planning, provided by Urban Design Associates (UDA); and 2. Accepted the document as complete. Roll call vote was unanimous. (710-80-013)
6f. Assistant Town Manger Marc Mattox provided an overview of the recommendations to the current committee list.
MOTION by Lassonde, seconded by Lange
1. Approved Committee Changes:
a. Sunsetting the Onsite Ad Hoc Committee, Downtown Phase 3 Working Group, and Legislative Committees;
b. Renamed the Building Committee to the Building Division Corrective Action Plan Ad Hoc Committee;
c. Renamed the Solid Waste Committee to the NRWS Franchise Agreement Committee;
2. Approved Conversion to Standing Committees:
a. NRWS Franchise Agreement Committee (bi-annual)
b. Economic Development Committee (quarterly)
c. Insurance Committee (quarterly)
d. Healthcare Committee (quarterly);
3. Approved Legislative Representation Model: Designate two Council Members for legislative affairs (Note: The Mayor and Vice Mayor would no longer be automatically designated as the representatives, but rather the representatives would be appointed via the full Council);
4. Approved Governance Updates: Adopt revisions in the Committee Inventory, including administrative roles, purpose statements, and ongoing review of sunset triggers as well as establishing standardized questions for creation of new committees;
5. Approved Monthly Reporting: Request Council Members to submit brief monthly written updates for inclusion in Council agenda; and,
6. Adopted Resolution No. 2026-32 "A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise Approving Updates to the Town's Committee Structure, Governance, Framework, and Reporting Practices". Roll call vote was unanimous. (120-10-003)
6g. Assistant Town Manger Marc Mattox provided an overview of the CEQA Notice of Exemption for the Private Road Identification Safety Project.
MOTION by Bolin, seconded by Lange 1. Concurred with staff recommendation to file a CEQA Notice of Exemption for the Private Road Identification Safety Project; and, 2. Adopted Resolution No. 2026-33, “A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Paradise approving the design exception for the Private Road Identification Safety Project.” AYES:
Greg Bolin, Heidi Lange, Ronald Lassonde and Mayor Steve Crowder NOES: Steve “Woody” Culleton; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None. Motion Passes. (950-40-079)
6h. Assistant Town Manger Marc Mattox provided an overview of the current Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program.
1. Adam Deppe asked that after the Town clear the hazardous fuels, they implement a program to help beautify the roadways.
2. Chayce Cassani, the owner of Arbor Pros asked for direction on how they should approach fuels in the right-of-way.
Council provided policy direction to staff regarding implementation of the Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program within the public right-of-way, including: 1. Clarification of vegetation management standards for hazardous fuels to be determined at the Public Works Director’s discretion; 2. Direction on the treatment of resident-installed landscaping to provide case-by-case reviews for the landscaping as long as it is maintained, and does not affect or impede town infrastructure such as roadways and drainages; and 3. Guidance on public communication and notification practices associated with the specific 2026 Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program implementation to include door hangers and at least a one week notice before work would begin. (440-60-022)
7. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS AND REPORTS
7a. Council initiated agenda items
7a1. Council discussed the uses of adjacently owned lots. There was no Council consensus to move the item to Consideration.
7a2. Council discussed reviewing the fiscal sustainability model as it relates to staffing needs. Assistant Town Manager Marc Mattox will prepare an item for the June Council meeting to review the how staffing and the budget compares to the fiscal sustainability model projections. 7a3. Council discussed a potential Council-initiated ballot proposition to change the Mayor’s position from a Council-appointed role to a voter-elected office.
There was no Council consensus to move the item to Consideration. 7a4. Council approved a letter of support in favor of AB2700. 7b. Council reports on committee representation:
Council Member Bolin attended the monthly LAFCo meeting and Facilities Ad Hoc Committee meeting.
Council Member Lange attended several sewer committee meetings.
Council Member Lassonde attended the monthly BCAG and BCAQM meetings.
Council Member Culleton attended Wildfire Preparedness Week.
Mayor Crowder attended several sewer committee meetings. 7c. Future Agenda Items
1. Discuss holding two Council meetings a month. (CULLETON)
2. Reconsider the Sewer Project. (CULLETON)
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
8a. Interim Town Manager Michael O’Brien praised Jennifer Macarthy.
9. CLOSED SESSION - None
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Crowder closed the meeting at 10:39 p.m.
Date approved: June 9, 2026
By: Attest:
_________/s/_________________ ____________/s/______________ Steve Crowder, Mayor Melanie Elvis, Town Clerk